I would like to share some fantastic news with all of you. Chynna was recently selected as a pet therapy dog. What this entails is that on a regular basis, we will visit old-aged pensioners in a residential home. Some people prefer to go to hospices, hospitals or schools but as I had a very close and loving relationship with my paternal grandmother when she was alive, my first preference was to work with people in the twilight of their lives.
Late last year, Chynna went through a rigorous assessment where she was tested for temperament and obedience. They wanted to see if she was suitable for this type of visiting role where she would be handled by many different people. Well, what can I say? Our little baby was just a delight and passed with flying colours!
After my own references were done (thanks to my two lovely friends who did this for me, you know who you are), we got a letter of acceptance from the charity this past week. We didn't waste any time and Chynna and I went on our first visit today!
P drove us and was very sweet, acting as my 'assistant' and carrying all our bags. Due to the rules of the charity, he can't handle Chynna on visits as he will not be covered by their insurance should any incidents occur. However, it was a great help to have him around and the Matron who runs the home made us both feel very welcomed. We found her to be a very warm and lovely person.
I had to bring a small quilt for the residents in case they wanted Chynna to sit on their laps. And boy, did they want her to do that! There are 36 residents in total at the home and I would say that she visited with about 20 of them. Not all of them like dogs and some are happy to just look at her from a distance. A few are also quite poorly and don't often leave their rooms.
But those that loved dogs absolutely adored her. As it was our introduction visit, we kept it short and spent just a few minutes with each person. All of them kept saying how beautiful and lovely she was and how soft her coat felt, etc. They even asked me if I put special conditioner on her fur! You could see their eyes light up at the sight of her and it really was a wonderful feeling.
Although Chynna was very curious about the different noises, she took to each and every single one of them. Even the staff cooed over her and they all wanted to take her home!
I feel incredibly proud and happy and it is one of the best things that P, Chynna and I have done together as a family. We have committed to visiting every Sunday morning and I look forward to it.
What did crack me up though was that the Matron tried to disinfect every OAP's hands after they stroked Chynna. But that went out the window after a while because they kept coming back for more and some even encouraged Chynna to lick them on their faces!
One of the residents thought that Chynna was a male dog and didn't like her pink collar and leash. She said to me, "He's beautiful but I'm not sure about the pink. It makes him look like a poof!". Ha ha ha.
I'm not saying this because I'm biased, but Chynna is the most amazing dog that I've ever come across. She is laid back, so well behaved and loves everyone she meets. What I said to P today was that it would be a real waste if we just kept her all to ourselves. I know that the residents would have let us stay all day if we wanted but we just didn't have the time. Next week, we will stay longer so that everyone can get their fill of her.
The Matron loved Chynna as well and before we left, she gave all three of us in turn a big cuddle! I really hope we see more of her on our visits. I know that with time, I'll also get to know the residents a bit better. Today was a blurr of stroking hands, numerous names and passing faces. I will definitely blog when I get funny comments or hear special stories from the residents.
On this wonderful note, I wish all of you a great rest of the weekend!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy 2010!!!
A light dusting of snow fell just after midnight as P and I came home from the pub after ringing in the New Year with friends.
This morning, we took a two-hour walk. The location in the photos is literally a 10-minute drive from our house. It feels like the country but the huge park is in one of the biggest cities in the world!
Just click on the photos to enlarge:
Your eyes do not deceive you, these are horse riders!
Sometimes on Sunday mornings,
we can hear them clippity clopping past the houses to get back to the stables:
When my folks are here in March and Yeller Fever and his girlfriend visit in June, we'll go for some great walks too. You all will love it!
This morning, we took a two-hour walk. The location in the photos is literally a 10-minute drive from our house. It feels like the country but the huge park is in one of the biggest cities in the world!
Just click on the photos to enlarge:
Chynna loves the park, can you tell?!
So cold that even the puddles were frozen:
Imagine sitting here in the tranquil peace with a thermos of hot coffee:
There are a few lakes clustered together:
What a gorgeous little stream:
Your eyes do not deceive you, these are horse riders!
Sometimes on Sunday mornings,
we can hear them clippity clopping past the houses to get back to the stables:
When my folks are here in March and Yeller Fever and his girlfriend visit in June, we'll go for some great walks too. You all will love it!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Dog in da Hood
There was once a doxie called Chynna
No other sausage looked finer
Everyone thought she was a peach
As she licked every face within reach
And everything she wore was designer
No other sausage looked finer
Everyone thought she was a peach
As she licked every face within reach
And everything she wore was designer
Monday, December 21, 2009
Ice Ice Baby
Although the worst of the snow has missed us, the cold weather certainly hasn't. This place has certainly lived up to the name Brrringland during the last few days. The sleet combined with freezing temperatures has turned our road into an 'ice rink'.
I have the next two weeks off work but unfortunately, P has to go into the office for a couple of days. Driving is really out of the question. He has to take the train into the office and deal with the delays. As soon as the weather turns extreme here, everything just seems to fall apart.
I just took these photos of our back garden and the road in front of our house. Thought all of you on the Small Island can look at them and gloat about how lovely and warm you are! Me, jealous?!! Noooooooooooooooooo.....(yessssssssssssssss).
I have the next two weeks off work but unfortunately, P has to go into the office for a couple of days. Driving is really out of the question. He has to take the train into the office and deal with the delays. As soon as the weather turns extreme here, everything just seems to fall apart.
I just took these photos of our back garden and the road in front of our house. Thought all of you on the Small Island can look at them and gloat about how lovely and warm you are! Me, jealous?!! Noooooooooooooooooo.....(yessssssssssssssss).
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Dreaded C Word
In my last entry, I mentioned feeling great sorrow because of losing Lainey to cancer.
It's only been in the last few months that I have started to feel comfortable and happy in this country. A large part of this has been due to the friends that we have met here. Just a few days after I wrote that blog, we received the devastating news that one of our new friends has skin cancer.
We hope that because it was caught in the early stages that Smiley will make a full recovery. The medical team has moved very quickly and he's already had an operation to remove the affected area. However, as with every cancer case, it is a waiting game. Sometimes you pull the short straw and sometimes if you're very lucky, you don't.
P and I are of course both worried, but thinking positive thoughts for him and praying every day.
I myself am in shock as you can all imagine. Smiley and his wife are a wonderful couple i.e. kind, generous, sweet and funny. Although we haven't known them for very long, P and I really care for them. When we get together, it is constant laughter and hilarity. Although they are a little older than us, we have a lot in common. They really are lovely and I know that if any of you met them, you would feel the same.
As I end this short entry today, I ask if all of you could pray for Smiley's rapid recovery and remission in whatever faith that you believe in. Thank you very much and I will keep you posted on how he is doing.
It's only been in the last few months that I have started to feel comfortable and happy in this country. A large part of this has been due to the friends that we have met here. Just a few days after I wrote that blog, we received the devastating news that one of our new friends has skin cancer.
We hope that because it was caught in the early stages that Smiley will make a full recovery. The medical team has moved very quickly and he's already had an operation to remove the affected area. However, as with every cancer case, it is a waiting game. Sometimes you pull the short straw and sometimes if you're very lucky, you don't.
P and I are of course both worried, but thinking positive thoughts for him and praying every day.
I myself am in shock as you can all imagine. Smiley and his wife are a wonderful couple i.e. kind, generous, sweet and funny. Although we haven't known them for very long, P and I really care for them. When we get together, it is constant laughter and hilarity. Although they are a little older than us, we have a lot in common. They really are lovely and I know that if any of you met them, you would feel the same.
As I end this short entry today, I ask if all of you could pray for Smiley's rapid recovery and remission in whatever faith that you believe in. Thank you very much and I will keep you posted on how he is doing.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Yo Ho Ho and Champers on Ice
Twelve months ago, P and I were excitedly anticipating the arrival of Yeller Fever to our rainy shores. This year, he will be on the Small Island and sorely missed. However, he will be here in the summer with his partner and we just cannot wait!
We will spend the yuletide season with friends we have made since we moved here. I am looking forward to having two weeks off but it will be different without my BFF around.
This weekend, we'll be having a cocktail party for about 20 colleagues, some of whom are also friends. In anticipation of our little celebration, we have put up our Christmas decorations.
Josh Grobin is on the CD player while I unpack my three big containers of ornaments. It's at times like this that remind me of loved ones that are no longer with us, in particular, my darling Lainey. I can't believe that it has been almost four years (in April 2010) since she passed. I miss her as much today as I did on the day that she died, if not more.
So much has happened that she doesn't know about i.e. my wedding, moving to Brrringland and so on. I know that she would find my crude comments about Brrringlish gals absolutely hilarious and would email me laughing about my last 'yellow river' blog. That is what I find the most painful: that we can't share the ridiculous that is daily life anymore. I still think about her with equal amounts of love and sorrow every single day. And I guess I always will.
But on a day like today (even though it's rainy and cr*p outside), I remember that I'm also very lucky to have a loving husband, great friends and family, a good job and a beautiful house to live in. Plus let's not forget, mummy's little helper, Chynna.
Here, my little friend is 'assisting' me to put up the decorations from her cosy little spot under the tree:
Most of the decorations are in the living and dining area. Because this house is so big, it doesn't feel cluttered at all:
The dress code of our upcoming party is 'Ball Gowns and Bedroom Slippers'. P will be in his tux and I will be wearing a long black strapless gown, my vintage diamonds and wonderful Hello Kitty slippers. I can't wait to see what other people will wear!
Photos to follow next week...
We will spend the yuletide season with friends we have made since we moved here. I am looking forward to having two weeks off but it will be different without my BFF around.
This weekend, we'll be having a cocktail party for about 20 colleagues, some of whom are also friends. In anticipation of our little celebration, we have put up our Christmas decorations.
Josh Grobin is on the CD player while I unpack my three big containers of ornaments. It's at times like this that remind me of loved ones that are no longer with us, in particular, my darling Lainey. I can't believe that it has been almost four years (in April 2010) since she passed. I miss her as much today as I did on the day that she died, if not more.
So much has happened that she doesn't know about i.e. my wedding, moving to Brrringland and so on. I know that she would find my crude comments about Brrringlish gals absolutely hilarious and would email me laughing about my last 'yellow river' blog. That is what I find the most painful: that we can't share the ridiculous that is daily life anymore. I still think about her with equal amounts of love and sorrow every single day. And I guess I always will.
But on a day like today (even though it's rainy and cr*p outside), I remember that I'm also very lucky to have a loving husband, great friends and family, a good job and a beautiful house to live in. Plus let's not forget, mummy's little helper, Chynna.
Here, my little friend is 'assisting' me to put up the decorations from her cosy little spot under the tree:
Most of the decorations are in the living and dining area. Because this house is so big, it doesn't feel cluttered at all:
The dress code of our upcoming party is 'Ball Gowns and Bedroom Slippers'. P will be in his tux and I will be wearing a long black strapless gown, my vintage diamonds and wonderful Hello Kitty slippers. I can't wait to see what other people will wear!
Photos to follow next week...
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